Modern Artist - Claudia Laroye

In conversation with one of Canada’s premiere travel writers and author, Claudia Laroye, on her new book, A Gelato A Day.

1. What inspired you to create A Gelato A Day? 
I've wanted to write a book for many years. The idea took firm hold in 2019, when I attended a book proposal seminar in Vancouver. I researched and wrote my book proposal, which was accepted quickly by my Ontario-based publisher, Guernica Editions. I signed my contract in January 2020.

2. As a prolific travel writer, what was it like to assemble this anthology and bring it to life?
It was a great process. My submission requests to fellow writers and in writers' groups coincided with the dawn of the pandemic in spring 2020. We quickly realized that nobody was going anywhere  - everyone was grounded, and work about travel dried up. The timing of my requests was serendipitous; colleagues had more time on their hands than they would have otherwise had to write and stories for the anthology.

The editing process was fairly smooth. Several of the works had been previously published, and most of the stories were written by professional writers.

3. With the pandemic halting travel, your book has come out at a time where travel is returning. How will A Gelato A Day impact and inspire others to see the world?
The launch of the book in September 2022 couldn't be better, as the world reopens to travel and people are eager to get out there and rediscover it. I hope that the stories in A Gelato A Day will inspire people to reimagine how they can travel with family, and reinforce why it matters.

I'm hopeful that that release will coincide with some gift purchases during the holiday season, too! It’s an ideal time for families to plan future travel; this book can help shape some of these decisions.

4. There's quite a collection of stories here; how did you decide which ones made it in?
|It was tough! The quality of the writing and the variety of the stories made decisions difficult. I chose a mix of stories that would appeal to people with kids of all ages and those without any children, but who'd once been kids themselves and likely had memories of great or infamous family holidays.

The stories cover all the aspects of family travel - the good, the bad, the not-so-ugly, in funny, insightful and poignant ways. There’s a story for everyone in A Gelato A Day!

5. To aspiring writers, and after having released A Gelato A Day, what are your words of wisdom to them?
Only you can tell your story. Once you have, be prepared to shout it from the rooftops, as book promotion these days rests very much with the author. Know that it's never too late to share your story with the world.

6. What moments in this process brought you the most joy?
There were many joyful moments during the book editing process. Writing my own story, Bittersweet in Banff, about learning of my father's childhood while on a father-daughter trip was one. I had to interview my dad which I thought might be painful. But he was eager to share, and I'm so glad he was and still is here to tell his story.

Obtaining several book blurbs in advance of A Gelato A Day’s release was work but joyful toil. My Hail Mary email just before Christmas 2021 resulted in a beautiful blurb from actor and author Andrew McCarthy (of Pretty in Pink and St. Elmo's Fire fame), and I literally jumped around my kitchen when he agreed to do it. 

Opening up my first shipment of books and seeing the bright yellow cover and pink ice cream cone was incredible - it became real.
A Gelato A Day is in the world, and I’m thrilled!